Vincent Audio’s SA-T7 MK Tube Preamplifier Adds Bluetooth

Vincent Audio’s range of integrated amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, and phono stages don’t get enough love from the Hi-Fi press and that’s slightly weird to us. The German manufacturer has been around for years and we had nothing but praise for the Vincent Audio SV-737 Integrated Amplifier that I reviewed back in 2021.

The build quality is superb and it belongs on any audition list if you can afford the $3,500 USD asking price. Not inexpensive but a very solid piece of engineering.

The one hole in the lineup has been a streaming pre-amplifier that can be used with any power amplifier or pair of active loudspeakers like the ATC SCM40A that we just reviewed last month.

Not offering some form of streaming capabilities in 2023 is the kiss of death for some products and it would appear than Vincent Audio understands that the market wants it.

The new SA-T7 MK features the same audiophile-grade circuitry and renowned sound quality as its predecessor, but with the added benefit of a built-in Bluetooth receiver. 

“The SA-T7 was one of Vincent Audio’s most popular pre-amps,” says Steve Niemi, Director of Global Sales, Pangea Audio, LLC. “And, with the addition of Bluetooth, the updated version will handle nearly any source imaginable. The SA-T7 MK will bring out the best of any recording.”

Available in both black and silver, the new SA-T7 MK (MSRP: $3,499.95) features the original circuitry as the previous version, with the same outstanding sonic output. Linear amplification is combined with extreme low-noise characteristics, thanks in part to the BestPentode-circuit that eliminates the electrical current noise often associated with pentode tubes.

The BestPentode stage employed on the SA-T7 MK boasts a much higher gain with less noise than comparable triodes. The tubes, including 85A2, 6SCH9P, and 6SCH51P grid pentodes, are notable for amplifying high frequency signals.

The SA-T7 MK features connections for a wide range of analog and digital audio sources, accommodating both analog and digital. Included are six stereo RCA-type connections, one Toslink optical digital connection, and one coax digital connection. Internally, there is a PCM 5100-based DAC providing 24-bit/192 kHz performance. Compatible audio formats include WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM, MP3, AAC, AC3, and WMA music files. 

The addition of Bluetooth 5.0 allows listeners to wirelessly stream high-resolution audio files to the preamplifier. In addition, the front panel received a cosmetic upgrade, with a new modern, elegant appearance.

Extremely pure audio transmission is accomplished with a low-noise power supply couplings of the BestPentode stage. Vincent Audio developed a proprietary module for this stage, called Vimala, the Sanskrit term for, “pure, transparent, clear.” A second gain stage, featuring the 6H9P, 6H51P, 6S3P-EV, and Vimala modules, affords precision control over treble and bass, though tone controls can be bypassed in order to hear the purest music signal. 

SA-T7 MK Specifications

• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 100kHz +/- 0.1dB
• Output Voltage: 3V
• T.H.D.: <0.001% (1kHz, Output Voltage 2Veff on 10 K Ohm)
• Amplification: typ. 13.3 dB (Volume control max. Gain)
• Input Sensitivity: 430mV (for 2V Output Voltage)
• Signal-to–Noise Ratio: typ. >100dB (A)
• Impedance: >22kOhm
• Tubes: 2 x 6H9P, 2 x 6H51P, 4 x 6S3P-EV; 1 x 85A2
• Dimensions: 16.9″ wide x 5.3″ high x 14.5″ deep
• Weight: 18.7 lbs. (8.5 kg)
• Color: Black, Silver

For more information: vincent-tac.de

Related reading: Vincent SV-737 Integrated Stereo Amplifier Review